happened in their community, take that inclination to your own community to perform an act of kindness and speak out in a way that you want to. but if you ask newtown themselves, they would like to good thursday morning. right now on "first look," the nation's midsection is in a deep freeze as a storm that brafrland the rockies moves south. >> after a deadly shooting in connecticut, the 911 calls from inside the school on that tragic dray made public. a race against time to free dozens of pilot whales stranded in shallow water. and fast food chains brace for another walkout and truck thieves get more than they bargained for and the famous rockefeller christmas tree lights up new york city. a brutal weather system is baring down across the u.s. more than 30 million people are

in a path of this arctic invasion. snow, ice, and extraordinary drops in temperature are expected. it's not over yet. we have that story. >> the big chill impacting 33 million americans is bringing a brutal mix of snow, ice, and subzero temperatures to 27 states. near deluth, minnesota, three feet of snow in two days. >> it's going to be a white christmas. >> the arctic blast burying cars. conditions like these on the roads claiming six lives. by friday, it could be 20 degrees below zero. states from california to mississippi to kentucky are bracing for pockets of record cold. >> we haven't seen anything like this for a while this early in the season. >> across much of the west, temperatures could plummet 40 degrees below normal. in denver, it went from nearly 60 degrees to 6 in one day.

perfect for the polar bear at the zoo, not so ideal for this snow plow. the deep freeze is even crippling california's citrus crop. 85% of the fruit in this multibillion dollar industry is still on the tree. they could lose it all in an overnight freeze. >> worst case scenario, we'll lose about $2 billion worth of product. we'll vun employment totaling around 15,000 people. >> winter blast battering half the country, threatening to paralyze even more of the nation. >> now for more on where the storm is headed, bill karins is here. bill, good morning. >> yeah. who's next? that's what everyone wants to know. the cold air is moving south. this white line is the freezing line. yesterday we had record heat from arkansas to dallas. and now we're watching the temperatures dropping. you went from record highs in the 70s, you're going to have an ice storm later tonight into tomorrow. right now we're not showing much on the radar as we go throughout the day. we'll begin to fill it in. that's when the icy weather will

start. now areas of pink are winter storm warnings, dallas, oklahoma city, springfield, but it's the purple shaded areas that are dealing with an ice storm. ft. smith, arkansas, little rock, arkansas, memphis, possibility of a quarter inch of ice or more. quarter inch is the threshold. once you get a quarter inch of ice on the tree limbs, they start to break. that's where you get the power outages. those start tonight and into friday. continue friday afternoon to paducah and western sections of kentucky. north of the ice, we're going get snow. three inches in oklahoma city, knife springfield. two to three in st. louis. one to two in pittsburgh. huge impacts for everyone on the east coast, by the way, almost all rain out of this. so we're not too concerned with the eastern seaboard. >> thanks so much, bill. moving on now to new information on the tragedy at sandy hook elementary. late wednesday, new town, connecticut, released some

recordings of 911 calls one year ago. a shooter walked into an elementary school and killed 20 first graders and six adults. nbc's jay gray reports. >> reporter: the 911 operators were steady and focused as callers describe the chilling events unfolding in handy so yy elementary. a teacher says, somebody has a gun. they're still running. they're still shoot. sandy hook school, please. a custodian described the shattered front window. during the call, gun shots rang out in the background. he tells operators, i keep hearing shooting. i keep hearing popping. then he describes hearing only silence. following the wishes of survivors and family members of the victims many who fought for nearly a year to block the release of trecordings, nbc wil not air the calls. nicole hockly's son died in the

attacks. she talked to andrea mitchell. >> we don't feel the 911 calls should have been released. but that decision has been made now. it will affect our community, certainly. it will affect our families. >> reporter: but the father of one of the teachers who died in the rampage says he believes the calls should be heard. >> i think the more the public knows and there will be less confusion, there will be less people making up stories about what happened. >> reporter: because the truth is painful enough for a community still struggling to heal. jay gray, nbc news, new york. now to a security concern. two million pass words stolen from accounts that you likely use and they were leaked online. according to security experts, facebook, twitter, google and yahoo accounts were compromised. a facebook spokesman says it

appears people's computers spla been tacked by hackers using malware to scrape information from the web browsers. the investigation also revealed most common pass word in the set was 123456. >> turning to florida now, a massive operation resumes this morning to save dozens of beached pilot whales. ten have already died in the waters of everglades national park. specialists are desperately trying to move the whales to deeper waters. it's unknown how they ended up in such shallow waters. this species is known for the close knit social groups meaning if one whale gets stuck, the others are likely to stay behind as well. it was quite a night here in rockefeller center. >> three, two, one! >> the rockefeller christmas tree was lit ushering in the holiday season as it has every

year since 1933. mariah carey performed his classic rendition of "all i want for christmas" and the rockettes came from across the street. the 76 foot norway spruce is cut in 45,000 led lights. no word yet on the power bill for all that. and as if the lights alone weren't festive enough, the tree is also topped with a 12 ton, 9 1/2 foot wide crystal star. now time for the latest in sports. >> with that, millions and millions of people descending upon where we work. very good day you to. you know, 2:00 p.m. today a very key time. an announcement that could affect the heisman. florida state attorney will disclose findings on sexual assault allegations against winston. he was named player of the year. he's the first red shirt freshman to win the conference's 61-year history, 2:00 p.m. they were hoping for a record

crowd in mexico city arena. but 45 minutes before the spurs-timberwolves tipoff, it was filled with smoke. the game was postponed to be made up sometime in minneapolis. the lakers kobe bryant is not playing in friday's game. the decision here made after he felt some general soreness in the foot that he injured eight months ago. the next possible play date is sunday. we'll be listening for that. we don't need to wait until march for madness. north carolina stunned michigan state. it is their first loss. the tar heels more aggressive play throughout the game kept them in the lead throughout. they win 79-66. steelers coach mike tomlin getting a hefty $100,000 fine. the charge, interfering with a play in progress. the question, did he keep the running back from a touchdown by stand took close to the field during a play in action? they do not like this. in the end, it didn't really matter is one question as well. the steelers losing the game to

the ravens, and the other coach says his actions were embarrassing and inexcusable, the league still might reduce the team's draft picks. his shoe falls off, to michigan's player throws it two rows deep into the rooting section. why not? was it a sign of disrespect? was he giving duke fans the heel? they don't mind, they throw it back. >> it was the black laceups. right? it is not even the right side. it was the battle of the odors, i like to say. and then also for you, finally, it's gone viral. close to eight million views, a fan in the detroit pistons dancing usher battling on the dance cam last month. jimmy kimmel takes it into the studio for a rematch. who do you give it to? >> the kid. >> they're both good dancers. the kid is so cute. >> he did the worm, too. >> the worm always kills me. thanks, richard. just ahead, a radioactive vat in

new mexico and details on a new report that says rob forward tried to buy the incriminating tape showing him smoking crack. [ female announcer ] skin looking tired? wake it up with olay regenerist. formulated with a skin energizing complex, it penetrates 10 layers of the skin's surface, because energized skin is younger looking skin. ♪

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now to other stories making news this morning. a suicide car bomber attacked yemen's defense ministry this morning killing 15 people. the blast in the nation's capital was followed by a fire fight with gunmen who tried to take over the complex and most of them had been killed. in mexico, missing radioactive cobalt 60 has been found near where it was removed from a stolen truck. authorities say the material was taken out of the protective canister and pose noes threat to the public. although whoever opened it is in grave danger. the thieves were probably just interested in the truck. 20,000 americans signed up for insurance on healthcare.gov on

saturday. twice as many of all of october. president obama wednesday urged activists not to give up on promoting the affordable care act. >> toronto mayor rob ford may have offered $5,000 and a car to suspected drug dealers in exchange for the videotape that appears to show him smoking crack. the information is contained in police wiretaps of gang members. and now for your first look at business, we turn to cnbc. a push for a higher minimum wage is causing a walkout. they're calling for 15% raise in wage. private sector job growth came in higher than expected at 215,000 jobs added in novemberment more good economic news today could be bad news for stocks which are on a four-day slide on fears of the fed pulling back on the stimulus program. and car service app uber is

teaming up with other companies to deliver trees. they will deliver a tree' stand right to your door as well as surprise gift from the company. a little holiday spirit goes a long way. >> can you get anything delivered these days. coming up, the latest political headlines in scrambled politics including a case of stop and friskiness vofinvolvin one of the first dogs am we'll explain. what you are looking fr to live a more natural life. in a convenient two bar pack. this is nature valley. nature at its most delicious. a man who doesn't stand still. but jim has afib, atrial fibrillation -- an irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem. that puts jim at a greater risk of stroke. for years, jim's medicine tied him to a monthly trip to the clinic to get his blood tested.

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only 55 bills have been signed into congress this year. this is the least productive congress. >> the least productive congress in the american public. >> the do nothing congress. >> that's not fair. they're doing something. they're getting into the guinness book of world records. time for a look at this morning's dish of scrambled politics. the first puppy is going to be in the dog house. sunny got a little too excited when views were looking at the christmas decorations. she knocked over a little girlment she got a warm hug if the first lady. >> we've seen many of thinks socks and seemingly endless collection, these may be the

best. former president george h.w. bush had socks on that bear his face. >> the arkansas democrat is considered the most vulnerable senator up for re-election n year. in the new spot, he wants voters to know he's a man of faith. >> the bible teaches us no one has all the answers, only god does. and neither political party is always right. this is my compass, my north star. it gives me comfort and guidance to do what's best for arkansas. >> the campaign won't say how much tv time they bought, marco rubio's super pac launches a six figure ad buy. hillary clinton can read a little easier. elizabeth warren tells the boston harold she is not running for president in 2016. the great people at the

onion are having fun with out jog fair michael bloomberg. this time they are poking fun at the stop and kiss policy. >> the policy allows officers to kick anyone they think looks suspicious has been a subject of criticism for those who say it's a violation of privacy and breech of constitutional rights. >> every time i go out and i see a cop, i'm ready for him to come up and ask me questions and give me a little kiss just because of the color of my skin. i mean you don't see them kissing any pretty white ladies out here. >> and 80 years ago prohibition was officially repeeled. americans were able to drink legally again for the first time in 13 years, and to that we say cheers. and that's your morning's dish of scrambled politics. and now for the first look at politics, i'm joined by syndicated columnist bob franken. he is live in our washington bureau. perfect segue from the end of prohibition and lots of drinking to bob. >> smaert. what was a little known fact is

while prohibition was on, the stop and kisses went way down. >> there you go. i can see how that would relate. let's get to obama care and the new numbers released. 29,000 people enrolled through the website in the last few days. that's more than the entire month of october and what some administration officials are saying an enrollment surge. should they be celebrating just yet? >> no. there are so many issues remaining with obama care, they just got past the first one which apparently is the mess up with the website. but to compare it to october is not really much of a comparison. you know, it was nil in october. >> and so what are some of the other challenges that they're going to have to confront? >> they have to go with the doctors who are not getting paid, not being included in networks. you have to solve the problems with irs and coordinatation with the various agencies. how are people going to be paid? there's all kinds of problems that have to be worked out.

>> a little too early to celebrate. now when it comes to obama care, republicans clearly have the political advantage for a while. but now that white house seems to be getting back on track, where does the gop go from here? >> it's going to be very interesting. the white house decided it's going to play offense as opposed to the defense that it had to play with the start-up of the website. so every day the president and his supporters are going to be putting out messages about the advantages that can be gained by participating in what we now call obama care. the big battle is going to have to be over the young people. there are some dark clouds for the administration because a recent poll conducted by harvard shows more than half the people absolutely necessary to make this work, that is to say the young invincibles are saying that they could very well not participate. >> yeah, it's hard to convince sometimes young healthy people that getting sick is a possibility. we'll see how that plays out. thanks so much, bob franken. we appreciate your time as always. chris matthews will have an exclusive interswru president obama tonight on "hard ball."

watch it live right here on msnbc. and coming up, bill karins and richard will be back for "first buzz." we'll tell you about all the stories we're talking about including how heidi montag and spencer plat blew through their fortune. [ fishing rod casting line, marching band playing ]

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time for first buzz. richard and bill are back for this. it's a sad story. >> no happy ending here. it's not funny. i just found it so crazy that it actually happened. a washington state woman in vancouver, she had scanner activity from the police. that's what she does.

that's what she zment a horrible accident sounds really bad. that was on interstate 205. try not to panic. my husband left work early. he drives 205 to get home. i can't get ahold of him. i'm a basket case. minutes later, how long do i wait for him to come home before i call the police? an hour after that last post she said, it's him. he guide. this actually -- she had about 20 different post that's went on in this two hour period. she was going back and forth with people trying to get information, trying -- people were feeling sympathetic for her. i think we all had the situation where he hear something horrible and we call a loved one or friend to say are you okay? are you okay? and that happened to her. it wasn't okay. >> that's very sad. >> richard, you seem a little more uplifting. >> a little more. there's a gentleman going around the west coast and the northwest and leaving very large tips here. $300, even a couple $10,000 tips when he goes to a bar or to a

restaurant. and he's posting these on insta gram. he is signing tips for jesus. you can see that one right there. it's about 51, $5,000 there, taking a picture with those who helped him. evidently he may be a college football fan as well. on one of the places that he was watching a usc game, he signed it and he wrote fight on. it's an amazing thing he's doing throughout the season. even in one situation he said, hey, you have heard of tips for jesus? the bartender says, no. he says you're about to. he orders a couple drinks and gives aed ad e$5,000 tip. >> wouldn't it be better if he did it anonymously? >> they're fine with it. >> right. you heard the saying a fool and his money will soon part ways. you remember heidi montag, they got $10 million. they blew through it a couple years. >> shocker.

>> we thought we were jay z and beyonce. >> no more dollars. >> that's right. >> they're 15 minutes of fame is over. >> stay tuned, "way too early" starts right now. the 113th hasn't passed the bills every congress does like a highway bill or defense bill or a farm bill. or a buget. what do we need a budget for? clearly not highways, defense, or food. congress did pass a bill ensuring people can fish near dams on the cumberland river and they also passeded deep cuts in food stamps for the poor which is good solid governing because the poor don't need food stamps anymore. now that they can fish near dams on the cumberland river.

>> also, as amusing as the rob ford saga has been, there is some indication he may have tried to pay to keep the now infamous crack smoking video out of the public eye. and sticking with our friends in canada, usually if you lose your winning lottery ticket, you lose the lottery. but north of the border that, is not the case. we have a great story for new the cooler on this thursday edition of "way too early." >> a norman rockwell painting goes for a record sum at auction and we have a sweet goal from the premier league. but we have a lot of news to get to this morning. we're going to start with breaking news overseas. 20 people are reportedly dead afte